Our Summer Trip to Coeur d' Alene

In August, My Sister, Nephew Grayson, Ell, and I headed up to my Mom and Cortie's summer home in the beautiful mountains of Couer d' Alene, Idaho to spend a week on the water. I absolutely LOVE it there, and wish we could get up there more often. Growing up, we spent most of our summers at the river, and I miss it desperately. I love being on the water, and I knew Ell would love it too.

We headed out super early, and had a great flight! Ell did SO good, and it was so great to have Gray there to keep her occupied. I was so proud of her.

(I'll let the pics do most of the talking. Since we were on the water most of the time, most of these pictures are from my iPhone, and aren't the best quality. )

This was our view for the week. It could not be more beautiful!

As soon as we got settled in at my Mom and Cortie's, we headed out on to the water. Ell and Gray could not wait to get out on the boat. Ell was so tired from all our travels, but that didn't hold her down. We were all cracking up because she was in such a delirious state she kept falling. Poor girl feel off the dock twice, and in the water she went. So glad she is such a good sport!

This was right before a fall. She wanted to wear the huge, orange emergency jacket. Let's just say that it didn't last too long! In the water she went.

Ella and Opa.

She loved every second on the boat, and loved it even more when she got to drive. 

So fun for her!

Splash pad fun!

Taking it all in!

Tubing time!

I was the designated adult on all the tube rides, and I didn't mind one bit! So fun. I wish I could've recorded Ell during the rides. She was having a blast, with smiles and giggles the whole time.

We spend a few afternoons just floating and having fun on the water. 

I tell you, this girl is fearless!

When it was boarding time, Ell loved holding the flag. Such a good helper.

We visited a super cool indoor water park. Ell and Gray had a blast, and so did we! I hadn't been on a water slide in such a long time, and it was so much fun. We definitely need to go back when Ell is old enough for the big kid slides. She'll love it!

Park time!

Driving with Gigi!

Our daily walk down to the boat!

Cousinly love!

 Coeur d' Alene has an awesome art festival each year called Art on the Green. It had amazing booths, food, and music. As we were leaving, the craziest thunderstorms moved in and blew everyone out! It was the craziest thing ever! So glad we left when we did. 

There are some really neat restaurants on the water. It's always so fun to drive your boat up to lunch. They had these AMAZING drinks(for the adults), that we all shared in a HUGE bucket with straws. Ell wanted to drink her cranberry juice just like us! Too funny!

 

Grayson was dying to go to Cabela's for some shooting, so we all took a drive over and had some fun at the shooting range. Ell had a ball, and my competitive self got into it too! I have NEVER seen a store so huge, with so much camouflage in my life. It was unreal!

Movie nights in Gigi and Opa's movie room were a nightly ritual for these two ……… 

while we enjoyed some cocktails out on the deck!

Love you Mom and B.

Thanks Mom and Cortie for such a fun trip. We are so lucky to have a place like this to go! 

Ell and I had a blast. We love you!

If you're ever thinking about visiting, here are some helpful links. It will not disappoint!

Coeur d' Alene Resort

Coeur d' Alene Trip Advisor

Triple Play

Art on the Green

Cabela's


Until next time CDA . . . . . . . .

Ella is THREE!

It's so incredibly sad that I am just now getting a post up about Ell's 3rd birthday. Where did the summer go? Our sweet Ella Catherine turned THREE on July 5th. We decided to just spend the morning together(just the three of us!), and headed up to Ramona after Ella napped to celebrate with her Grandma, Papa, and Tia UU(Lourdes). It was super relaxed and perfect in every way. 

The night before, Jose and I set out her presents and decorated her door. We also had her balloons all set to go for the morning celebration! Ell's birthday present this year was our trip to Disneyland, but we couldn't resist getting her a few small presents to celebrate her day. She also insisted on flowers, which I thought was so sweet and cute!

After we opened her gifts, we all got dressed for the day and headed out to one of our favorite breakfast spots. She got some yummy hot chocolate and some delicious bday pancakes.
Perfect start to the day. 

She still has the hardest time giving me thumbs up, or putting up 3 fingers. Here she is trying her very best!! I'll take it cute girl.

After her nap, we headed up to her grandparents house for her birthday celebration!

(She was SO grumpy after her nap, so it's the best pic I could get!)

When we walked in, Jose's sister had blown up about one hundred balloons, and they were all over the family room. It was amazing, and she absolutely LOVED it. Thank you Tia!

There were way to many presents!

The MOST precious cake I have ever seen!

AND of course there was singing!

She loved every second! 

We are so lucky to have such an amazing family. They would do anything for this little Be. 

The next day, my Sis came down with my nephews, Garin and Grayson. Ella was SO happy to have her cousins over to celebrate her big day. They too spoiled her with some adorable presents and a yummy donut cake my Sis put together. 

When Ell was little, she HATED when we would sing "Happy Birthday".  Every time we'd sing, she'd start to cry and threw a complete fit. Well, that has completely changed! Now, we have to sing "Happy Birthday" at least five times, and she loves every second of it! Such a ham.

We sure do love you sweet girl. You have brought your Dada and I so much joy in the past THREE years. Thank you for making me a Mama three years ago, and for teaching me what life is really about. 

I love you!

Her THREE year old update is coming soon. Stay tuned. . . . . . . . .